US transfers funds meant for Afghanistan, Pakistan for building Mexico wall

"The funds were culled from a variety of sources, to include unexecuted prior year funds, the suspension of reimbursements to Pakistan, and costs reductions in a series of contracts," he said.

Press Trust of India

Washington , May 12, 2019, 3:36 PMMay 12, 2019, 3:37 PM

UPDATED: May 12, 2019, 3:37 PM

The United States is transferring USD 1.5 billion originally
meant for the Afghan security forces and the Pakistan military to a fund to
help pay for construction of the US-Mexican border wall, according to acting US
Defence Secretary Patrick Shanahan.

More than USD 600 million of these funds come from an Afghan
security forces account. The US is also taking USD 78 million from the
Coalition Support Fund, which is money used to reimburse Pakistan for
logistical and military support for American military operations in
Afghanistan.

The funds have been reprogrammed despite an increase in
attacks inside Afghanistan and a complaint by the US chief negotiator that
peace talks with the Taliban are not moving at a sufficient pace, Dawn said.

The US and the Taliban have held six rounds of direct talks
since October in Doha, Qatar, to end America’s longest war in which the US has
lost over 2,400 soldiers. The latest round of negotiations ended on Thursday.

The Taliban control nearly half of Afghanistan, and are more
powerful than at any time since the 2001 US-led invasion.

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